Liuwa Plain's Wildebeest Migration in a Land of Hidden Gems

Liuwa Plain’s Wildebeest

Writer: Kelsea Lee Photography: Andrew McDonald, Time + Tide

About the Liuwa Plain As you take off over the vast Liuwa plains, helicopter blades whirring overhead, the orderly roads and buildings of Kalabo gently give way to a smattering of villages tucked within the forest below. Thatched roofs cluster around a campfire, fringed by rows of cassava, corn, and banana trees. As you pass by, small children smile brightly and wave their ‘Hellos’. Abruptly, the forest and villages fall away, and savannah fills your vision, rolling out to the farthest reaches of the horizon.

One of the most spectacular ecosystems in Zambia, both in diversity and abundance of species, sprawls before you: Liuwa Plain National Park. Home to Africa’s second biggest wildebeest migration, a flourishing cheetah population, prolific hyenas, magnificent birdlife and the famed Lady Liuwa lion pride, this remote and little-visited park offers one of the best and most authentic natural and cultural experiences in all of Africa.

Why choose Liuwa Plain for your migration experience? A journey to the Liuwa Plain reveals a destination that offers vistas stretching to the ends of the Earth, utter tranquillity away from crowds, and wildlife displays on a scale that only Africa can stage—there is magnificence in seeing a thousand animals moving in unison, sweeping gracefully across a landscape. You can watch a flock of crowned cranes flying low, their wingtips brushing the feathery grass, gaze up at a chiliad of pratincoles swirling skyward...and most exciting of all, thrill to a huge herd of wildebeest thundering past, their silvery-blue hides lustrous in the beautiful light of sunset.

As a destination still largely off the radar for most tourists, you will enjoy Liuwa’s migration experience without any of the crowds typical of East Africa. With Time + Tide King Lewanika as the only permanent lodge in the park, there is never more than a handful of vehicles exploring the entire 3,660 square kilometres of wilderness. A stay at the lodge promises exclusive access to the diverse safari activities on offer in the region, blended with a stunning and luxurious in-camp experience that will inspire even the most seasoned travellers.

When to see the migration At the end of the dry winter months, when the scent of rain laces the air and the promise of tender shoots is irresistible, thousands of wildebeest and zebra begin their southward migration into the plains surrounding Time + Tide King Lewanika. The season typically lasts from November to April, bringing with it towering thunderclouds, a vibrant tapestry of wildflowers and lagoons, and the best chance to witness the wildebeest rutting and birthing seasons. This is also the time when the migratory birds arrive in droves, drawn to the plentiful food and breeding habitat provided by the flood plains.

Experiencing the migration While out with Time + Tide’s award-winning guides, you can discover the theatre of life that centres around the migratory herds. A diverse selection of activities spanning land, water and air gives a well-rounded and incredibly memorable safari. As a bonus, without any crowds, photographers can always get the best angle to capture the magic.

By land… Game drives offer the advantage of covering more ground, and therefore more potential wildlife sightings. You can immerse yourself in the middle of the large herds, until there are endless wildebeest in every direction and their calls echo all around you as in an amphitheatre. Liuwa’s lions, cheetahs and hyenas also follow the herds, providing plenty of unfolding action for you to watch.

A walking safari reveals the nuances of a landscape characterised by boundless grandeur. By slowing down and experiencing the land at its own pace, you gain a better understanding of how every part works together in perfect harmony. You’re not just admiring wildebeest in a field of wildflowers...you’re smelling the flowers, noticing the fine details of their petals, observing the bumblebees buzzing from bloom to bloom...

By water… Canoeing through the Liuwa flood plains offers the same quietude of a walking safari, but with a whole new perspective. You begin upstream from the lodge and drift peacefully down with the gentle flow. And without any crocodiles or hippos, the experience is very safe and relaxing. From your canoe, you can see hyenas cooling off in the shallows and watch wildebeest and lechwe cross right in front of you as a hundred cranes and egrets take flight in unison.

By air… To appreciate fully the grandeur of the plains, take to the air for a scenic helicopter flight. Departing directly from the lodge, you will be treated to awe-inspiring views of the large herds as they meander across the savannah, and be captivated by the earth below, where azure lagoons dot a landscape painted with broad brushstrokes of ochre, gold and chartreuse.

Join the road less travelled If you are looking for an experience on the road less travelled that will leave you feeling fully alive and inspired by the wonders of the natural world, a safari in Liuwa Plain is perfect. Offering exclusive access to an iconic migration experience, dazzling wildlife displays, breath-taking scenery and an activity-rich safari with Time + Tide, it is ideal for modern-day explorers. Come, let us show you how the wildest places can offer the greatest luxury, pure and simple.